8th Annual Run for the Coach to honor teachers, coaches everywhere

Volunteers for this year's Run for the Coach scheduled for Jan. 25 gather at an earlier race.

FORT PIERCE - Seven years after teacher and cross country and soccer coach Wayne Cross passed away from cancer, his students, athletes and friends are still celebrating his life with a run that recognizes teacher and coaches everywhere.

The Eighth Annual Run for the Coach 5K (3.1 mile) run/ walk will take place on Jan. 25, starting at the Riverwalk Center (formerly the Fort Pierce Community Center), beginning at 8 a.m. The sanctioned 5K course runs through part of downtown Fort Pierce and over and back across the South Beach Bridge. Hundreds of former students, friends and runners out for a terrific race will gather to celebrate teachers and coaches and to raise money to build a running path around the newly rebuild Kid's Crossing playground in Fort Pierce.

Entry fee for all elementary, middle and high school students is $15 pre-registered or on race day, and $20 for runners and walkers over 18 who pre-register. Race-day registration for all is $25. If a high school team of eight or more registers, the coach runs free.

Trophies will be awarded to the first overall male and female runners and the first Masters male and female finishers. There is also a trophy awarded for top coach runner (male & female) and top teacher runner (male & female) Unique handmade clay medals will also be awarded three deep in typical five-year age groups, from ranging from age 10 to 70 and older.

The event is held each year in memory of Lincoln Park Academy coach and teacher Wayne Cross, whose death from cancer in 2007 came just days before the first race set to honor him. It's also in recognition of coaches and teachers everywhere, who are honored at the race's end. Hundreds of former students, friends and runners out for a terrific race will gather to celebrate teachers and coaches and to raise money to build a running path around the newly rebuild Kid's Crossing playground in Fort Pierce

Registration forms are available at Fleet Feet Sports, John Carroll High School, Allapattah Flats K-8, Lincoln Park Academy, Runner's Depot or by email at tothemoon@bellsouth.net. Race day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Fort Pierce Community Center on Seaway Drive. Online registration at active.com, Run for the Coach 5k.

In addition to race director and volunteer Sue-Ellen Sanders, organizers include Kathy and Tom Perona, Kate and Nick Rotindo, Martha Cross, Lynne and Carlos Duran, Theresa and Paul Raymond, Rebecca and Kori Benton and Mary and Bob Hensley. For more information or to receive a registration form, contact Sue-Ellen Sanders at tothemoon@bellsouth.net or call 772 971-6868 or 772 216-1618.

This story is contributed by a member of the community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.